RR crossings.

HI.
I ordered some of those nifty railroad crossings with the flashing lights. Now I am wondering, if I should keep them constant on or set them up with a relay or switch or some automatic infrared or magnetic thingy. ( I dont want my Z cars to run the gate and get hit by trains)
Next thing is..how could I hook up the ding ding ding bell sound to it all, should I use a sound chip and hook it to a relay, or send off to a real train equipment company and get a real bell and mount it to the module? (Hey they are 6-12v!!)
I have a feeling I wont be the only one doing this!
Kelley

Kelley

I used a simple magnetic "thingy" to operate Armand Marx's signal system. Tiny neodyne magnet in front pilot/plow of lead engine and tiny magnet on trailing coupler. Did I say tiny, I meant Micro. Or nano even. The strength of the magnet is awesomely strong.

I use a hall effect magnetic sensor. Link below.

www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G1994

All it does is turn it on and turn it off. All you need for your crossing lights.

Hobo Tim

Great idea thanks Tim!. I will be installing this on a Module so others will be running their trains on it, so I might have to go for some infra red thingy or other device. Cant talk everyone into those magnets. I picked up some tiny magnets at Conrad and was wondering what to do with them..thinking they could be used to pick up mail on the fly..

Not quite Z but scratchbuilt

crossing gate- originally to use across trainroom door

Nice Fred, but I am wondering what other people are using to trip the lights (thanks again Tim) on their Z scale crossings, and if they have sound with it. I know sound is irritating to some people, especially when its all da. I will poke around and see what other scales are using.

I knew that:) Try trainboard-- there are some really fine modelers over there and I seem to remember a special thread there.
Fred

Kelley wrote:

Nice Fred, but I am wondering what other people are using to trip the lights (thanks again Tim) on their Z scale crossings, and if they have sound with it. I know sound is irritating to some people, especially when its all da. I will poke around and see what other scales are using.

Kelley

I don't like giving up my secrets!!!! But, since we are both Patriots I guess I will post this link here!

home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html

I am sure you will find one detection circuit to fit your RR Crossings. You have plenty to choose from!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Hobo Tim